Tri-Nations/New Zealand 13 Australia 9: The New Zealand coach Graham Henry has set his sights on improving his team's poor record in South Africa after they retained the Bledisloe Cup with a 13-9 win over Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.
The absorbing victory was the All Blacks' 13th on the trot in a golden 12 months that has included winning the Tri-Nations and completing the grand slam with victories over England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
New Zealand also whitewashed the Lions last season but blotted their record by losing to South Africa in Cape Town.
They also lost in Johannesburg in 2004 to concede the Tri-Nations championship to the Springboks, and Henry is desperate to make amends this year.
"Winning in Australia is a huge achievement . . . but we'd like to take another step and win in South Africa," he said. "We haven't done that for a while so that'll be the next goal, I guess."
New Zealand beat South Africa in Wellington two weeks ago to take a firm grip on this expanded Tri-Nations but still have to play the Springboks twice on their soil, where they have not won since 2003.
The All Blacks were not at their best on Saturday but defended magnificently against waves of attacks, Henry singling out the inspirational Richie McCaw.
"You can't play better than that," Henry said of McCaw. "I thought he was the outstanding individual player of the game."
The Australians were also full of praise for McCaw after he pulled off 19 tackles, including try-savers on Stephen Larkham and Mark Gerrard.
"He's anywhere and everywhere . . . it seemed like we were playing four or five of him," Gerrard said.
A moment of individual brilliance from winger Joe Rokocoko was what decided the game. He beat two tacklers in a blistering run to the line early in the first half to score the only try of an absorbing match that was also marked by the ever-reliable boot of outhalf Dan Carter.
Carter converted Rokocoko's try from out wide then added a penalty and a drop goal.
Australia's points came from three Stirling Mortlock penalties as the Wallabies failed to score a try for the first time since their 18-9 loss to Ireland at Lansdowne Road in November 2002.
Australia certainly played much better than in their 32-12 loss to New Zealand in Christchurch three weeks ago and created several half-chances in the last quarter but could not find a way through the All Blacks defence.
"It was a game that we could have won, but in saying that, I'm not taking anything from New Zealand's win," Australia coach John Connolly said.
"New Zealand are a great side . . . but I think we showed tonight we're not too far away."
AUSTRALIA: Latham; Gerrard, Mortlock, Giteau, Tuqiri, Larkham; Gregan (capt); Holmes Paul, Blake; Sharpe, Vickerman; Elsom, Smith, Fava. Replacements: Waugh for Elsom, McIsaac for Paul, Chisholm for Fava (all 61 mins), Cordingley for Gregan (73 mins), Rathbone for Tuqiri (74 mins), Rogers for Gerrard (75 mins), Sheperdson for Blake (77 mins).
NEW ZEALAND: MacDonald; Gear, Muliaina, Mauger, Rokocoko; Carter; Kelleher; Woodcock, Mealamu, Hayman; Jack, Williams; Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo. Replacements: Masoe for Collins (62 mins), Somerville for Woodcock (68 mins), Eaton for Williams (74 mins), Cowan for Kelleher, Hore for Mealamu (both 75 mins).
